Teatro alla Scala
Historic opera house of gilded boxes and grand chandeliers, site of legendary premieres and infamous flops alike.
Location
About this audio guide
This guide to Teatro alla Scala in Milan centers on the world premiere of Puccini's Madama Butterfly on February 17, 1904, with soprano Rosina Storchio in the title role. You'll hear how a stray gust of wind and a rumor rippling through the crowd set off a chain of disruptions during the performance, and how Puccini's own sister described the scene unfolding around her. It follows what Puccini did that same night, and why the opera performed on this stage today isn't quite the one that opened.
This audio guide was created using AI.
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